overwhelm

English

/ˌəʊvəˈʍɛlm/, /ˌoʊvɚˈʍɛlm/, /ˌovɚˈʍɛlm/

verb
Definitions
  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
  • To overpower, crush.
  • To overpower emotionally.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English overwhelmen prefix from English whelm.

Origin

English

whelm

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms